The PFA have announced their Championship team of the year – based on votes from members at 100 eligible clubs.

The ballot forms are delivered in February to every player who is a member of the PFA, and they are allowed to vote for anyone who isn’t a member of the club they are playing for.

The PFA’s rules state: “Another stipulation is that a player can only win an award if their club has taken part in the ballot, this ensures that all players from other clubs that have voted have a fair chance of winning an award.

“After a member has decided who they are voting for they must sign, fold and then give their envelope to the PFA representative who will seal the vote.”

The choices inevitably prompt a fair bit of discussion and this year’s divisional XI is no different. There are three players in black and white who are entitled to feel hard done by at the way the vote has gone.

Ciaran Clark

Ciaran Clark (Image: 2016 Newcastle United)

Jamaal Lascelles has made it into the PFA’s Championship side, partnering Lewis Dunk in a central defensive partnership that is probably more conentious than anything else in the side.

Pontus Jansson of Leeds has been excellent this season and with Clark in such outstanding form this term, there’s an argument that United’s skipper hasn’t even been the best defender in black and white this season.

Clark joined Newcastle as one of the more low-key signings of the summer – taken from Aston Villa after a so-so season at Villa Park that ended in relegation. But his form has been superb: his organisational talent and desire a real boost for a defence that has been one of the meanest in the division this season.

United have certainly missed him since he limped off against Fulham. They’ve conceded soft goals against Leeds, Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday in a worrying run that has prompted questions about Newcastle’s ability to last the promotion pace.

Matt Ritchie

Newcastle United players in training ahead of visit to Reading (Image: Newcastle United)

Any midfielder who hits double figures has exceeded expectations and Ritchie’s omission is a tough call.

He’s scored crucial goals when the pressure has been on and has fully justified his sizeable summer transfer fee – and a personal decision to drop down a division to join Rafa Benitez’s men.

The PFA team of the year midfield is full of quality: Tom Cairney is a Newcastle target, Aaron Mooy has been one of the signings of the season and

Anthony Knockaert has scored crucial goals for the champions-elect. But Ritchie would be entitled to feel hard done by.

Karl Darlow

David Stockdale was the man picked but Darlow has been every bit as good as the Brighton man this season.

Darlow probably pays the price here for starting the season as second choice but he’s rarely made a mistake. And when he has – such as the one against Norwich – he’s bounced back – the true sign of a good goalkeeper.

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His performance against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground was one of the best in recent times by a Newcastle goalkeeper. He can count himself unlucky he’s not alongside Lascelles in the PFA team of the year back five.